At age 105, she still ‘goes with the flow’

Centenarian Catherine Hearn with her birthday dinner of steak and fries. PHOTO BY DAWSON JORDAN
From Staff Reports
For her 105th birthday, Catherine Hearn wanted steak and fries. Darlington Mayor Curtis Boyd was happy to provide it. Hearn, a resident of Bethea Retirement Community in Darlington, celebrated her 105th birthday Dec. 9 with a small group of friends. Born in 1916, she has seen countless changes and says she has learned one big lesson: “I say, ‘Go with the flow,’” Hearn said. “You go with the flow. … Take it as it comes.” “It’s a strange world,” Hearn mused. “It changes rapidly. It’s so hard to keep up with.” There’s been a great deal of bad news lately, Hearn noted. “People are so tired of hearing terrible things.” As for herself, Hearn considers herself fortunate. She has lots of friends at Bethea and she’s in relatively good health, which allows her to get around without much help. “You can do the things you want to do,” she said. “I’m lucky to be here.” Hearn said she is full of hope for upcoming generations. “Young people today – they’re so vigorous,” she said. “And they have so much going for them.”